Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 31: A sweeping transformation driven by agentic artificial intelligence (AI) is set to redefine the employment landscape in India, with over 1.8 crore jobs across manufacturing, retail, and education sectors expected to be impacted by 2030, according to a report released by ServiceNow on Wednesday.

The report highlights that the manufacturing sector will bear the brunt, with nearly 80 lakh jobs set to be affected. Retail follows closely, with 76 lakh roles facing disruption, while around 25 lakh positions in education are expected to undergo significant changes in the coming years.

According to the findings, AI is actively reshaping workplace roles. Jobs with high automation potential, like payroll clerks and change managers, are increasingly being handled by AI agents, who now manage routine coordination and process execution. On the other hand, roles requiring augmentation—such as system administrators and implementation consultants—are seeing AI emerge as a collaborator rather than a competitor.

The concerns around AI’s impact have intensified following announcements from major IT companies. Notably, TCS—the country's largest IT services firm—recently declared it would slash around 12,000 jobs, attributing the move in part to increased AI adoption.

Despite the looming challenges, industry leaders are optimistic. Sumeet Mathur, Managing Director of ServiceNow India Technology and Business Centre, emphasized the opportunity AI presents. “Agentic AI will pave the way for over 30 lakh new tech roles by 2030. India stands at a unique crossroads to lead the global AI workforce by nurturing AI-ready talent and reimagining digital workflows,” he stated.

As AI continues its rapid march across industries, the report underscores the urgent need for workforce reskilling and technological adaptation to stay ahead of the curve.